Air spring and shock absorber assembly for use in suspension systems

Abstract

An air spring and shock absorber unit for use in vehicle suspension systems or cab suspension systems comprising a shock absorber mounted within an air spring. The lower end of the air spring bellows is attached to the air spring piston in such a manner which enables the lower end of the bellows to be disconnected from the air spring piston without damaging the crimp ring which connects the bellows to the piston.

1. An air spring and shock absorber assembly for use in a vehicle suspension system, comprising:
 a shock absorber including a body having upper and lower ends and an exterior surface, said body having at least one projection extending outwardly from its exterior surface about its said lower end, a base mount at said lower end of said body, an elongated piston rod extending upwardly from said body, damping means in said body for yieldably resisting movement of said piston rod with respect to said body, and a rod mount on the upper end of said piston rod; 
 an air spring including an end cap positioned above and operably secured to said rod mount, a resilient bellows having upper and lower ends, said upper end of said bellows being sealably secured to said end cap, an air spring piston having upper and lower ends, said piston having a central bore extending between its said upper and lower ends, said piston also having a reduced diameter portion at its said upper end; 
 said shock absorber body being received by said central bore in said piston with said at least one projection engaging said lower end of said piston to prevent downward movement of said piston with respect to said shock absorber body; 
 at least one O-ring seal provided in said central bore of said piston which is in sealing engagement with the exterior surface of said body of said shock absorber; 
 said piston having an air passageway extending thereinto which is in communication with said central bore thereof above said O-ring seal; 
 said air passageway being in communication with a source of pressurized air; 
 a resilient O-ring, having inner and outer surfaces, positioned on said reduced diameter portion of said piston; 
 said lower end of said bellows embracing said resilient O-ring; 
 and a lower crimp ring securing said lower end of said bellows to said resilient O-ring; 
 said resilient O-ring permitting said resilient O-ring, said lower end of said bellows and said lower crimp ring to be selectively disconnected, as a unit, from said piston to permit said piston to be replaced by a substitute piston and to reinstall said resilient O-ring, said lower end of said bellows and said lower crimp ring, as a unit, onto said substitute piston. 
 
   
   
     2. An air spring and shock absorber assembly for use in a vehicle suspension system, comprising:
 a shock absorber including a body having upper and lower ends and an exterior surface, said body having at least one projection extending outwardly from its exterior surface about its said lower end, a base mount at said lower end of said body, an elongated piston rod extending upwardly from said body, damping means in said body for yieldably resisting movement of said piston rod with respect to said body, and a rod mount on the upper end of said piston rod; 
 an air spring including an end cap positioned above and operably secured to said rod mount, a resilient bellows having upper and lower ends, said upper end of said bellows being sealably secured to said end cap, an air spring piston having upper and lower ends, said piston having a central bore extending between its said upper and lower ends, said piston also having a reduced diameter portion at its said upper end; 
 said shock absorber body being received by said central bore in said piston with said at least one projection engaging said lower end of said piston to prevent downward movement of said piston with respect to said shock absorber body; 
 at least one O-ring seal provided in said central bore of said piston which is in sealing engagement with the exterior surface of said body of said shock absorber; 
 said piston having an air passageway extending thereinto which is in communication with said central bore thereof above said O-ring seal; 
 said air passageway being in communication with a source of pressurized air; 
 a resilient O-ring, having inner and outer surfaces, positioned on said reduced diameter portion of said piston; 
 said lower end of said bellows embracing said resilient O-ring; 
 and a lower crimp ring securing said lower end of said bellows to said resilient O-ring; 
 said resilient O-ring permitting said lower end of said bellows and said lower crimp ring to be selectively disconnected, as a unit, from said resilient O-ring and said piston to permit said piston to be replaced by a substitute piston and to connect said lower end of said bellows and said lower crimp ring, as a unit, onto said substitute piston having a resilient O-ring mounted thereon.